As you can see from the surroundings, winter has not let up in Ontario. But my favourite grocer-cum-flower-shop in Toronto had potted hellebores and deep purple snapdragons, so I shall carry on pretending that spring is imminent.
Digging around in my store cupboards unearthed deep plum Arv dinner plates from IKEA, available for a nanosecond a few years ago. Their generous scale and softly scalloped edge make them ideal anchors. They’re also a great reminder that good design is available at many price points.
Gien’s Fleur de Chine salad plates are floral explosion. And is another pattern with a short shelf-life (2008-2011).
Gien seemed to have a run of these mono-coloured floral plates with very short production runs. I don’t like any of them nearly as well as Fleur de Chine.
Hortensia: 2007-2010
Hortensia by Gien
Chevrefeuille 1999 – 2011
Chevrefeuille by Gien
Capucines 2007 – 2009
Capucines by Gien
Tulipes 1997 – 2004
The real mystery to me is Tulipes Noires. It began in 2007 and is still in production. Go figure. Individual taste is a mystery to me. Any guesses why this one survived? Fascination with Dutch tulips? Timeless black & white (though I would have guessed blue and white was much more timeless)?
At each setting sits a Mottahedeh pot de crème, crisp white and classically detailed.
I adore these little vessels— small and faintly old-fashioned in the very best way.
I often use them at Christmas for Chocolate Pots de Créme, but this time they’re filled with Maple Pots de Créme with Blackberry Coulis. It’s lighter, and more suitable for pretend-spring.
The glassware was assembled over time. The floral water glasses are from Bowring years ago, chosen primarily for the pansies. The purple goblets were thrift shop finds.
Underfoot is a green gingham tablecloth — cheerful, forgiving, and endlessly practical. It sets the tone immediately: this is a table to use, not fuss over.
I can’t remember where the little ruffled-edged open salts came from – probably Etsy.
Nothing here is rare, perfect, or precious. And that’s the point. This is a table built from pieces gathered over time — old friends, recent rediscoveries, and happy thrifted surprises — layered together because they felt right, not because they were ever meant to match.
Enjoy the rest of the week, all. Looks like we are in from some respite (finally) from the freezing cold. I can’t wait to see the back of the snow.
Sources
Dinner Plates: IKEA Arv (discontinued)
Salad Plates: Gien, Fleur de Chine (discontinued)
Pot de Crèmes: Mottahedeh
Floral Water Glasses: Bowring, years ago
Purple Goblets: Thrifted
Tablecloth & Napkins: Pottery Barn
Dear Helen, despite driving snow (which the warm temps mean the roads are still clear), the lilac buds are swelling, the snowdrops and primula are blooming, and the narcissus and hyacinths have poked up. I expect Parma violets soon. This table inspires me to pull out those green same gingham serviettes, although I don’t have the tablecloth. I do wish I’d snagged those Arv plates; they are such a luscious colour! Similar purple wine glasses and F&F Bristol covered soups will finish it off–so what if they are pumpkins? The plates will have to be Impératrice Eugénie, for the violets. Thanks for the ideas. Hope spring comes soon for you.
It’s so hard to find good purple dinnerware and glasses, isn’t it? I agree on the Bristol Tureens—they’re suitable all year round. Impératrice Eugéni is a gorgeous pattern. I do so love Haviland. I picked up a couple sets of series plates by Haviland earlier this year, featuring the Unicorn tapestries. I’ve set the blue & green ones already. Can’t wait to show them to you.